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“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is  the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17

Isn’t this is such good news!? To know that God did not just save us then leave us to get on with things on our own! No! Jesus told us that as soon as he was with the Father (which he is right now), he would send us the Holy Spirit as a “Helper”. Other translations say “Counsellor,” “Friend,” “Advocate,” “Comforter.” The amplified bible says: “Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby)”

The Holy Spirit living in us will help us, he will provide spiritual comfort, guidence and strength. He has promised to always be with us, to abide in us – that means that he actually lives within us when we give our lives to God. We can be assured that we always have the help we need no matter what situations we face. Sometimes we can forget this. We can go to church and small group, and have fellow believers around us to encourage us and help us in our walk with God, and this is all good for us to grow in God, but when we’re on our own facing situations at work or at home, we can forget that although our brothers and sisters in Christ can’t come to work with us, we carry the Holy Spirit wherever we go! He is our comforter, he is our helper, he will strengthen and guide us and is our “standby” for any emergency or anything we face, whether big or small.

Wherever you go, you are never alone. There’s never just “little ol me” on my own anymore. God is dwelling in you. He sees though your eyes, he listens to your heart and he is right there ready to guide, prompt, support and strengthen – you only need to ask! He’s ready and willing each and every time we ask Him for help! He doesn’t need to “come” and help you, he’s already there! He’s your instant support and strength to live your life God’s way – he’s your personal comforter and he is with you forever.

Is there any situation that’s too big for God? No! So, with God dwelling in us, there’s nothing that’s too big for us and God to handle together either!

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:13

Thank you Lord for your amazing promise that the Holy Spirit already dwells in us and will do so forever> Thank you that he is our comfort and our help.

Trouble & Trials our view vs God’s view

Our View

1. God is punishing me
2. God mustn’t be good after all, he’s not blessed me like he promised.
3. I didn’t sign up for all this suffering, wasn’t being a Christian supposed to make life easier?
4. Where is God when I’m going through this?

God’s View

1. Trials are not a punishment – they are a faith, character & hope building exercise! God tells us we should receive trials and even suffering with Joy..

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4

(Note, however, that God does discipline those he loves. Hebrews 12:5-7)

2. God has already blessed us with every Spiritual Blessing in Christ. He also promises to turn all things round for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

3. Jesus clearly told us that, in following him, we would face trouble, trials and suffering. Our faith is not about a nice ticket to heaven and an easy ride. Jesus said us we must deny ourselves and lay down our own lives (“take up your cross”) in order to follow him, just as he did for us.

And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. Luke 9:22-24

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.  John 16:33b

4. God has promised to always be with us in the trials, but not to take them away! We need to remember that Jesus has all authority and He is with us always! In our weakness – God is strong!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  Isaiah 43:2

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.“ Matthew 28:18-20

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

God’s word is truth. We need to ask God to help us align our views/feelings with the word of God so that we can live lives of freedom and truth. Lives that are pleasing to God and that give him all the glory!

“If you squeeze a lemon you should get lemon juice, if you squeeze an orange you should get orange juice. If you squeeze a Christian, you should get Christ”

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Have a look at this verse – what is Paul praying for?

“God’s love & Christ’s perseverance”. I think the fact that Paul prays for perseverance, rather than asking God to take away troubles or things that could bring them down is such a key thing. We’re not supposed to seek an easy life with no trouble or worries - that’s never going to happen! Jesus himself told us that! Read John 16:33: “In this world you (we) will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We are to expect to have things that we will need perseverance to get through! That’s why instead of asking God to take away the problems and troubles, Paul asks God to give the Thessalonians love & perseverance to get through them still filled with faith. So that no matter what life or the devil throws there way, they can continue to persevere in the faith, trusting God and bringing him Glory.

What’s the point of perseverance? Well have a look at Romans 5:3-5: "..but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. " So from troubles, when we persevere, we develop character and as our character develops so does our hope, a hope in God which will not disappoint us.

Paul did not take perseverance lightly, he knew what it involved and what the cost was. He himself was a bit of an expert. He spent a lot of time in prison because of his faith, but he didn’t ask for prayers to be set free from prison, instead he prayed things like this verse in Ephesians 6:19-20: “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” Paul was less concerned with his own troubles and more concerned with sharing the gospel with those who didn’t know Jesus and telling them the good news of His salvation! This reflects his character, faith and hope in what is to come.

We are all going to have troubles, problems, bad days and low times. I read that this week is the most depressing week of the year! So it’s quite easy to get to a place where are focus is on “me”, my situation, my feelings and what I’m going through. When we are like this we are no use to anyone (not even ourselves!!) We are unproductive, actually quite destructive, and a bad witness to anyone who’s watching us. We need to pray for our hearts to be directed into God’s heart – to care about the things he does, especially the lost, and to stop focussing on ourselves. We need to pray for our hearts to be directed into God’s perseverance, so that no-matter-what we stand firm and keep going, rather than lying down and giving up!

Our role model? Jesus! He persevered and endured to the point of death. He never gave up on us and never followed his feelings rather than his calling! He is the ultimate role model of perseverance, and he did it for you and for me.  I can guarantee that what you are going through right now, no matter what it is, was not as hard and was not as painful as what Jesus went through in order to save you from your sin. And the amazing thing is that we don’t have to do any of this alone, we have the Holy Spirit in us and with us to give us all we need to persevere, we just need to choose to ask him!!!

So in this statistically depressing week, won’t you pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ – that the Lord will direct their hearts into God’s love and  Christ’s perseverance? (And while your at it, perhaps you could pray the same for me too!)

Luke 15: 1-7

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

So he told them this parable:  “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Jesus Rocks! We sometimes have such a wrong view of what Jesus was (and is) like. If Jesus was here today he’d be out in the shopping centres inviting people to know him. He’d be in the pubs, betting shops and supermarkets talking to people and inviting himself over to their house for dinner! I doubt very much that he’d spend all of his time with “church people”. Why? Because they already know him! They’ll be spending eternity with him (which I gather is quite a long time). That’s why while he was on earth Jesus took a few of his close friends and went out as a small group sharing his love, forgiveness and healing power with anyone who would take the time to listen.

And you know what? That bugged the “righteous” people. They thought he was polluting himself by spending time with those “sorts” of people (sinners). Yet we know that Jesus is a friend of sinners (Praise God!) and his concern is for those who don’t yet know him. That’s why he sent his disciples “out” (out of the church, out of their comfort zones, out of their families, out of their homes, villages & nations)… so that they (we) could reach those who were on the road to hell. Not to condemn them, but to save them!(1) As the bible says that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (2) That’s Christ’s promise to every person who repents. No matter what they have done in the past!

Plus every time a person who has been living their life away from God, repents and decides to follow Jesus, the whole of heaven rejoices! (like it says in the verse above) There’s a party going on with the angels for every single sinner who seeks Jesus for forgiveness! It’s amazing. That’s God’s heart for the lost, and for every person who is saved! Every individual is so important to God.

Is your heart in-line with God’s?

Are you seeking to share Christ with those who are currently living lives apart from him?

Has their been a party in heaven for you yet, or are you still living your life without knowing Jesus as your Saviour?

Time is short. Now is the time to make those choices!

1) John 3:17 : For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

2) Romans 10:13: for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Psalm 23

¹The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

³ he restores my soul.

Sometimes we can know a passage so well that we just read it and don’t really connect with it anymore, it’s too familiar.. but then we can easily lose out as (usually) we hear certain passages alot because they are so encouraging, building, or give us amazing inside to how great our God is!

Psalm 23 is one of those passages. The Lord being our good shepherd, us being the rather stupid, but very loved sheep of his flock! God leads us and we follow (or rebel!) He knows when we need rest, He knows when we need water, He knows when our souls need restoring, even when we don’t!

Spend some time thinking about these verses for a few minutes. Ask God to reveal to you again what it means for Him to be your shepherd and to have him taking care of you as you depend on him for provision, guidance and rest.

The Lord is my shepherd
The new testament tells us that Jesus is the good shepherd. (John 10:11) A good shepherd knows how to take care of his sheep. A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. The sheep know his voice and follow him. They know without doubt that he will take care of them and lead them into safety and shelter.

I shall not be in want
God provides all that we need. We find our contentment and fulfillment in Him when we allow him to guide us and lead us and not try to go our own way / have our own way.

He makes me lie down in green pastures
We often don’t allow ourselves enough rest. Yet God knows we need it, and if we are following him we will have those times of rest without feeling guilty. We find the best rest when we seek him and spend time in his presence.

He leads me beside quiet waters
Again this is the Shepherd knowing where to take his sheep in order to provide for them and to restore them. When we follow God he leads us into times of being refreshed by the Holy Spirit. He gently restores us with his living water as we seek him.

He restores my soul
By giving us his peace and rest, and leading us to those living waters, we find restoration for our souls. When we do things in our own strength or charge ahead because we think we know the way, we can miss out on God’s restoration because it comes in those times where we stop for a while and listen to the Shepherd’s voice. Only God can restore our souls and give us the security of knowing our good shepherd is looking out for us and taking care of us.

Spend some time reading through the rest of the psalm in the light of these first few verses. Look at the next bit about walking through the valley. It’s not always going to be green pastures & quiet waters, so we need to get the strength and restoration from God in these times in order to be ready for the harder times – knowing that even through the valleys we can still trust the good shepherd to guide us and not to leave us.

This week I’m cheating! I read this devotional online and I thought it would be good to share it with you! So here it is:

Listening To God
By Michael Lane, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

http://delveintojesus.com/Devotionals.aspx?id=12&time=966&message=saved

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Our relationship with Jesus has much in common with our relationships with friends and family. When we demonstrate effort and commitment in our relationships, they flourish. When neglected or abandoned, they suffer and decline.

Does God talk to us? Can we actually perceive God communicating with us? Absolutely! God does not typically speak in an audible voice, but He most certainly is speaking with us. The voice of God whispers directly into our heart and soul, guiding us, counselling us and comforting us. But are we listening, or are we too busy talking? God will not scream at us to pay attention, so if we are too preoccupied with our own thoughts, His gentle voice will be drowned out.

Our prayer time must consist of listening as well as speaking. We need to attentively reach for that small voice and eagerly let it guide us. In quiet prayer, ask God to reveal His will and then listen patiently for His response. The more often you do this, the easier it will become.

However, if you fail to do this, you will miss out on the advice and direction God is offering. Worse still, your relationship will suffer, just as a marriage suffers when one partner simply refuses to listen.

For Christians who know Jesus intimately, the deterioration of their relationship which comes as a result of not listening is a steep downward slope. For those who are just getting to know Him, it can be a serious impediment to growth in their relationship. If you consistently fail to pay attention to what God is telling you, it will become progressively harder to make out His will against the background noise of your own desires. It may become so difficult that you will no longer believe that God even speaks at all.

Let me close with a powerful example from Erwin Raphael McManus. His son Aaron had run into trouble at camp and was preparing to leave. In a final effort to convince him to stay, Erwin had the following conversation.

I asked him a simple question: “Aaron, is there any voice inside you telling you what you should do?”

He paused and then responded, “Yes.”

“What’s the voice telling you?”

“That I should stay and work it out.”

I asked him, “Can you identify that voice?”

He immediately said, “Yes, It’s God.”

It was the moment I had waited for. I didn’t expect it to come under those circumstances. Nevertheless, it was there. I turned to Aaron and said, “Aaron, do you realize what just happened? You just heard the voice if the living God. He spoke to you from within your soul. Forget everything else that just happened. God has spoken to you, and you were able to recognize Him.”

I’ll never forget his response: “Well, I’m still not doing what He said.”

I explained to him that was his choice, but this is what would happen. If he rejected the voice of God and chose to disobey His guidance, his heart would become hardened, and his ears would become dull. And if he continued on this path, there would be a day when he would never again hear the voice of God. There would come a day when he would deny that God even speaks or has ever spoken to him. But if he treasured God’s voice and responded to Him with obedience, then his heart would be softened, and his ears would always be able to hear the whisper of God into his soul.

(Erwin Raphael McManus, The Barbarian Way, pp. 87-88, Thomas Nelson, 2005)

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

Here is a summary of my reflection for today, if you don’t have time to read anything else just read these 3 lines:

God’s love is perfect.

Perfect love drives out fear.

Therefore we can live our lives, in Christ, without fear.

That’s it, you can stop reading now if you like J

Ah, you’re still with me J OK let me expand a little then..

We should have no fear of death, no fear of life, no fear of the future, no fear of sickness, no fear of other people or their opinions, no fear of the evil one …or even of God’s wrath, if we believe we are saved in Christ Jesus as a result of God’s love. On the cross Jesus paid the price for our rebellion against him, because of his love for us, so we no longer need to be afraid if we are in Christ Jesus:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

John 3:16-17

Jesus was sent by God as our salvation, he wasn’t out to condemn (or punish) us, but to love us, so that we may walk in freedom and forgiveness… and without fear !

Romans 8:38-39 says “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

So, if nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s perfect love, why then should we fear anything in all creation? God’s love drives out all our fears as we choose to trust in Him and learn to know him as our mighty God and our faithful and loving father.

I know often people have bad examples of father figures growing up, so saying that God is our father doesn’t necessarily bring to mind the feeling of safety, acceptance, security and unconditional love that every little child should feel when in the strong arms of their Dad. Yet we must realise that God’s love is perfect, a true heavenly father’s love. God won’t ever let us down. We can always feel safe, accepted, secure and truly loved by Him. When we are secure in His love, whatever situation/circumstance comes our way, we should have no fear because we know God is with us.

Isaiah 41:10 puts it so well:

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

And however “grown up” we get, his arms are always big enough to carry us through the hard times, and he’s always there to walk beside us through the good times.

Praise God for his Perfect Love in Christ Jesus !

A few weeks ago I spoke a bit about being God’s children , now I want to expand on this further and talk about being sons of God. Whether you are male, or female, if you are "in Christ" you are God’s son, which also makes you an heir. Not sure if you are "in Christ" ?? Check out Knowing God .

Our inheritance starts with our salvation, eternal life with God, through the death (and ressurection) of Jesus, who took our sin and replaced it with His righteousness. We have been promised an amazing inheritance, and at such a cost to Jesus.  Isn’t it amazing that God would choose to adopt us as His sons even though he is God and he is perfect, and we are created and not at all perfect!

I couldn’t choose which verse I wanted to use this week! There were so many good, encouraging verses to choose from! In the end I decided that rather than doing all the talking, I would let the scriptures say most of it. If you are alone, why not try reading these out load to build you up!

Galatians 3:26-29
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 4:6-7
Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

Titus 3:4-7
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Romans 8:16-19
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.

Ephesians 1:4-6
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

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Each one of us were chosen in love to be God’s sons,  so that he could lavish his grace on us. We are sons of the King! We are royalty ! As it says in 1 Peter 2:9: ..you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood , a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

So we must hold onto the fact that even though we are of course called to be humble servants on earth, just as Jesus was, we are also royalty because our Father God in Heaven has adopted us his Sons because of our active faith in Christ Jesus (who is the "King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!"). As you go through the ups and downs of life, make sure you remember that you are a child of the King!!

Revelation 17:14-15
They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.

Matthew 25:34-35
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Praise God for his promises, for his love and for our salvation through Jesus! Praise God that we have his royalty and an inheritance through our active faith in Jesus. Praise God that he promises to “adopt” anyone into his family who chooses to accept his own son, Jesus, as their Lord & saviour.

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For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!  1 John 3 :1

Last week I talked about how we, as Christians, are friends of Christ, this week I want to look at being children of our heavenly Father!

It says in John 1:12-13 “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

That’s an open invitation to anyone who chooses to receive God and believe in Jesus’ name. Each person is then given the right to be God’s child, spiritually born into God’s family with brothers and sisters in Christ. In order that we might love one another (1 John 4:7/John 13:34), encourage one another (1 Thess 5:11 / Heb 3:13) and spur one another on (Heb 10:24).

I just think it’s so amazing, when you stop and think about it, that God the creator chose to make us, the created, his children. To love us and to look after us just as a father would (only better as we know that Father’s can let us down, but God never will!)

Our Heavenly Father provides for our needs, Jesus tells us to ask for what we need and our Father will answer our requests (Matt 7:7). In Matthew 7:11 Jesus says “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Knowing that we are all sinners and God is perfect – of course he’s going to give us better gift than our earthly fathers can provide.

Our Heavenly Father helps us when we are in trouble (Ps 118:7 / Heb 13:6) and protects us from harm (2 Sam 22:31) He has also promised us an inheritance (Matt 25:34 / 1 Peter 1:4) and a place for us when we return home to him (John 14:2)

Our Heavenly Father, like all fathers, also disciplines us (Deut 8:5 / Prov 3:12). He does this because he loves us, and because he knows this is best for us in the long-run. No-one enjoys being disciplined, but what sort of father would never correct his children when they do wrong?

Our heavenly father tells us not to worry and not to be afraid, because he’s looking out for us and because he’s got good plans for us & for our future! (Matt 6:25-26/ Luke 12:32 / Jer 29:11).

Our heavenly father loves us! It says in the verse above “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us” –> Lavished! What an wonderful word, it show’s Gods generousity, his love poured out without measure or limitations! It’s nothing to do with us earning it or being good enough for it – He gives his love lavishly because of who He is and what a wonderful father he chooses to be to those who turn to him.

Praise God that he calls us his children, and that he loves us & takes care of us even better than a father!!

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  John 15:15

Jesus came to reveal God to us in a new way and to restore our relationship with him. Even today, by reading what Jesus had to say in the New Testament, and by the work of the Holy Spirit, God’s will and heart can be revealed to us.

Isn’t it amazing that God would choose to tell us about “his business,” he often shows us what he has planned through the gift of prophesy or by his word being made alive to us. He is our living God, who doesn’t change and remains faithful, yet he is creative & active in our lives. He wants us to know that we are called “friends” through Jesus! Friends of God! How amazing is that?

God doesn’t say to us “it’s none of your business” when we seek Him and ask him questions, he instead calls us friend and chooses to speak to us about who He is and what he’s doing!

We are not to be servants who just blindly obey, we are to be in relationship with him, so that he can encourage and help us as friends, and reveal to us his plans. God doesn’t mind us asking questions or trying to understand – he encourages us to see his wisdom and understanding! Proverbs puts it well “For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6)

Sometimes we don’t always see straight away what God is doing, and occasionally he chooses not to reveal why we are going through a certain situation. Yet we know through scripture that “God works all things for the good of those who love him”(Romans 8:28). There are so many times that God does put people/situations/projects onto our hearts, revealing what he wants to do through us, his church. Then we can work side by side with him, not just as servants, but as friends. Using the gift of his word in the bible, our guide book for life, which is full of God’s promises for our future with Him. The promises of God, revealed and made perfect in Jesus, who calls us friends.

So let’s live in the knowledge that we are friends of the living God! Let us remember that he wants to share our lives with us because he loves us and cares for us.  And let us comunicate with God, asking him to speak to us as we pray and read his word, so that we might know the plans he has made and the promises he has already given us.